Apple Event: iPhone X, Watch Series 3, Apple TV 4K and more

Fans, press, and conusmers alike gathered at the Steve Jobs Theater to witness the unveiling of the iPhone X and more Apple products. Image: Apple.

Apple finally hosted its annual September launch event at the new Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park on Tuesday. Members of the press and technology enthusiasts witnessed the introduction of the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X, the Apple Watch Series 3, the Apple TV 4K, and more new software.

The event led by CEO Tim Cook also counted with the presence of different top executives from Cupertino, which presented different products and specific features of the new lineup of software and hardware about to hit Apple Store shelves.

There is a lot of ground to cover, so without further ado, here is everything Apple announced today:

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

The next-generation of flagship smartphones by Apple brings a couple of new changes over the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The new devices feature an all-glass body, come in three different colors, have better cameras, and slick Retina HD displays.

However, the most significant addition this time over is the A11 Bionic chip and the Wireless Charging support using the Qi standard. Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will come in 64 GB and 256 GB storage configurations. The 4.7-inch model starts at $699 while the 5.5-inch one starts at $799.

iPhone X

The iPhone X is a celebration of the iconic device’s 10th anniversary. In its ten years of history, this exclusive redesign represents the most striking overhaul yet, and things get equally groundbreaking on the hardware and software side of things. It starts at $999 and goes all the way up to $1,149 for the 256 GB model.

Its Super Retina HD display spreads across all 5.8 inches of the front panel, supports HDR, and it has a higher contrast and resolution. Dropping the home button means no Touch ID, but users get Face ID instead to unlock their phone with their face. Portrait Mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animojis are also exclusive.

Apple Watch Series 3

Apple’s Watch lineup is now in its third generation with the Series 3, a new version of the wearable gadget whose most important feature addition is the capacity to support cellular networks. You can now pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone phone number and make and receive calls on it.

As usual, new colors, designs, and accessories will become available with the Apple Watch Series 3, which is also getting an Apple Heart Study app later this year in partnership with Stanford University to track and analyze people’s heart rhythm. The standard version will cost $329 while the cellular model will go for $399.

Not sure why you’d buy an Apple TV 4K over an Xbox One S. The Xbox has 4K HDR with Blu-ray drive, supports AirPlay, and plays actual games

Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV also got some love on Tuesday, with an upgrade to the streaming device so it can play content in 4K UHD now. The aptly named Apple TV 4K will also support HDR, making colors, contrast, and image in general as good in quality as it is in other brand gadgets.

The latest generation of streaming boxes by Apple will cost $179, and the tech giant promises it will update HD movies and shows bought by consumers to 4K for free upon upgrading. It is available now and ships next week.

#Apple will release iOS 11 on September 19th, update will be available for iPhone 5s, SE, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus

iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra

Mobile and desktop made it into the exhibition as well, and company executives formally introduced iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, the new versions of Apple’s proprietary operating systems.

Highlights of the update include autoplay blocking and enhanced virtual reality support in High Sierra, while iOS 11 will let users wire money to other iPhone users and play with more refined augmented reality apps, among other things. Both systems launch over the next couple of weeks.